More than 500 athletes – all of whom have had a life saving transplant – will be competing in the annual Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Medway this week.

The Games, which are hosted in aid of the charity Transplant Sport UK (TSUK), use sport to promote awareness of organ donation and boost numbers on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

On the back of Britain’s sporting success in London, the transplant athletes will be competing in a wide range of sports and activities – from running, swimming and cycling, to archery and snooker.

The event begins with an athletes’ parade, led by the TSUK Olympic Torchbearers, on Thursday 23 August at 6:55pm – before a glitzy opening ceremony at Rochester Cathedral.

The Games then get underway with a long weekend of sport and social events. Highlights include Saturday’s Donor Run at Great Lines Heritage Park and the Track & Field events at Medway Park on Sunday 26 August.

Event highlights:

• ·         Opening Parade and Ceremony: Parade leaves Rochester Castle Gardens (ME1 1SW) at 6:55pm on Thursday 23 August. The ceremony takes place in Rochester Cathedral (ME1 1SX) at 6.30pm

• ·         Swimming: Saturday 25 August 9:00 – 17:30 Medway Park (ME7 1HF)

• ·         Donor Run: Saturday 25 August 17.00 – 21.30 Great Lines Heritage Park, Chatham

• ·         Track and Field: Sunday 25 August 09.00 – 17.30  Medway Park (ME7 1HF)